Ricciardo positive despite Red Bull threat

Daniel Ricciardo insists he is not worried about Red Bull leaving Formula One, despite owner Dietrich Mateschitz setting a late October deadline for a decision over the team’s future.

The team is threatening to leave the sport after their split with Renault left them without an engine for 2016.

Red Bull is looking for a Ferrari engine deal, but sticking points remain over the specifications of a Ferrari-built engine.

Ferrari are believed to be reluctant to offer Red Bull the same engines it will supply to their own team, Haas and Sauber in 2016.

Mateschitz said the team was prepared to wait for a deal until “sometime in late October”.

“We strive to get motors, but we get none – at least not the one we want,” Mateschitz told the Red Bull-owned Speedweek magazine.

Ricciardo, who is currently 7th in the standings, said he hadn’t considered a negative end to the impasse.

“It’s good that Dietrich has set a bit of a deadline because we have got to know what we are doing, and if we are going with ‘X’ engine then we have got to start designing the car and all the rest of it,” Ricciardo said.

“We can’t wait until Christmas, so we will see in a few more weeks if we get a decision or an outcome.

“I’m still positive as long as we have still got time on our side.

“It’s not the end of October yet, so I’ll remain positive and if we get to the end of October and nothing has been sorted then I’ll for sure start having my eyes and ears a little bit more open about what else is going on.”

Daniil Kvyat, who sits one place behind Ricciardo in eighth, has said he has faith in Red Bull to make the right call.

Torro Rosso’s Max Verstappen, one of the sport’s brightest young talents, said he was not afraid of the potential withdrawal.

“I know I have a contract for some more years,” Verstappen told Autosport.com.

“Even if they pull out – and we have to wait and see what happens – I’ve no fear I won’t be in F1.

“If they pull out you have to do something, but for me there are no signs they will stop, so I’m very happy with where I am.”

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